For Faculty/Staff Who Want to Help a Student

A faculty or staff member is often the first person at the University a student will tell if she/he has experienced or is experiencing sex discrimination.

The student may share the information for a variety of reasons, such as:

Requesting a different seat in class

Requesting a room change in the residence hall

Explaining an absence or requesting an extension

Asking not to be placed in a group with a certain student

Stepping down from leadership in a student organization

Complaining about a colleague's behavior

Explaining uncharacteristic classroom behavior

Requesting assistance or support

All faculty and staff should be able to identify Title IX-related concerns when they are raised by a student to assure that students receive appropriate support, resource information, and complaint options.

What are common Title IX-related concerns students report to faculty and staff?

Sexual assault

Sexual harassment

Relationship violence

Sexual orientation/gender identity/transgender harassment

Gender-based stalking

How should faculty or staff respond if a student discloses a concern of discrimination/harassment?

Most University employees are responsible for promptly reporting any concern of sex discrimination related to a student to the Title IX Coordinator, Deputy Coordinators, UAPD, or staff in the Office of Institutional Equity or Dean of Students Office.

Employees are encouraged to report to the most appropriate person given their understanding of the concern which has been raised. If you are unsure who to report to please report any emergency/crisis to UAPD (9-1-1) and any non-emergency to the Title IX Coordinator.

It can be difficult to tell a student that you need to report the concern she/he have raised so we offer the following tips:

Tell the student you need to report the concern.

As soon as you are aware that the student may have a sex discrimination concern let her/him know your reporting obligation so that s/he can determine what information s/he would like to disclose.

If the student is reporting an incident of violence (sexual assault, relationship violence) let the student know you will be obligated to report the names of the alleged perpetrator(s) and student(s) affected, as well as relevant facts (date, time, location).

Let the student know that s/he may request that her/his confidentiality be maintained and the University will consider her/his request.

What if the student asks that you maintain confidentiality after s/he has already shared information with you?

Tell the student you are unable to and must report the concern

Let the student know that even when you report a concern s/he remains in control of whether or not to file a complaint, utilize support/assistance options, etc.

Remember that most interim/immediate measures such as no-contact orders, housing and academic changes are coordinated by the Dean of Students Office staff. It is important that you promptly report concerns.